Towers Falling

Pop walks Dèja to school. He’s dressed up. Dèja says that she doesn’t want to leave her school, but Pop doesn’t seem to listen.

When they arrive at Dèja’s homeroom, Pop goes to look out the window. Miss Garcia tells everyone to take a seat before going over to talk to him. Eventually, she asks another student to walk Pop to the principal’s office. Dèja keeps expecting her father to pull her out of school, but she goes about her day.

In history class, Mr. Schmidt explains that it’s important to think about how a question is framed, and Ben points out that Dèja made their group think about similarities rather than differences. Then, Sabeen encourages Ben to read their essay aloud, which he does. Mr. Schmidt compliments the group and then tells everyone to write an answer to the questions “What does it mean to be an American? Why does history matter?” (127).

Dèja writes that being an American means feeling connected. She says that her family disappoints her because Pop wants to take her away from what makes her feel like part of a community. She adds that even if she leaves, she’ll still be friends with Ben and Sabeen, and that she’s not just “Homeless Dèja” (128). She finishes her essay and feels proud even if the essay isn’t perfect.

In science class, the teacher shows a video of the Twin Towers being built. Afterwards, the students gather in groups of three, so Ben, Sabeen, and Dèja get together to build their own skyscraper out of straws, pipe cleaners, and paper clips. Their structure must be able to support a golf ball. Sabeen sketches out a design, and once they build it, their skyscraper can hold the golf ball.

Dèja thinks about how they’d each be lonely if they didn’t have each other. She adds that she would feel loneliest of all. The teacher says that their group has won, and they are excited.

At the end of the day, Miss Garcia tells Dèja that Pop is waiting outside. Dèja asks if she’s leaving the school, and Miss Garcia says that Principal Thompson explained the curriculum, so she doesn’t think that Dèja will be switching schools.

When Dèja walks outside, she can see that Pop has been crying. He says that others saw 9/11 happen through windows, including Miss Garcia, who was a fifth grader at the time. Pop tells her more about that day and says that Principal Thompson promised that they wouldn’t show any videos of 9/11. Dèja doesn’t tell him that she’s already seen a video.

Dèja realizes that Pop must have seen it happen, then begins to understand that he was there when it did. She thinks that history is relevant and personal. She wonders why she didn’t know because Pop’s history influences her life.

Dèja starts to notice that the suitcase is not always in the same position, meaning that it’s been opened a few times. She has a hard time falling asleep. She thinks about how she loves her family and how important it is that Ray go to kindergarten. Dèja also hopes that Ma will be able to get some rest and that Pop will feel better and get a job.

She notices Pop use a key to open the suitcase. As he pulls things out, he cries. She wonders what happened to him and if he was in the towers on 9/11.

Dèja lets her family go ahead of her to breakfast, and she finds the key to Pop’s suitcase. She opens it and finds work clothes. Then, she finds a photo of Pop smiling with three other men. They all are wearing the same outfit.

She also discovers a partly melted walkie-talkie, a flashlight, a wallet, and a bag filled with some sort of waste. Then, she finds a nametag that reads “WORLD TRADE CENTER. JAMES BARNES” (145).

Dèja realizes, “Pop survived 9/11” (146). She hurriedly puts everything back and joins her family at breakfast. 

Sabeen brings Turkish Delight to school, and Ben comments that he always wondered what it tasted like since it was mentioned in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Sabeen says she’ll read it, but Ben warns her that she should ask her parents since it’s very Christian. Sabeen responds, “A Muslim can’t read Christian stories? A Christian can’t read about Muslims?” (148). Ben says that he just didn’t want her to get into trouble. Sabeen says that her dad wouldn’t mind, but he has also said that since 9/11, Muslims do have to be extra mindful since some people think they’re terrorists.

Ben says that she’s not one, and Sabeen says that sometimes she gets picked on for her scarf. Dèja didn’t realize that sometimes Muslims are discriminated against too.

She then changes the subject and says that her father survived 9/11. Dèja adds that she wants to see it. Ben pulls out his smartphone. Sabeen worries that maybe watching it again isn’t a good idea, thinking of how her Uncle Ahmet is always searched at the airport.

Nevertheless, they watch the video, and Ben explains that there were four planes. Two hit the towers, one hit the Pentagon, and one crashed in Pennsylvania. They watch the two planes crash into the Twin Towers. Sabeen keeps her eyes closed. Dèja cries. Ben doesn’t flinch, explaining that he’s seen it before.

Dèja can’t believe that the buildings went down so quickly, since their foundation was supposed to be strong. Ben explains that the planes acted as explosive, and that softened the metal. The bell rings, and lunch is over.